A vented funnel having a fluid flow stop configured to provide even fluid flow or to maximize fluid flow. The vented funnel with fluid flow stop may include an inner funnel member and an outer vented funnel member. The outer vented funnel member may have one or more venting portions or configurations configured to provide a mechanism for allowing trapped air within the vented funnel to be expelled.

A vented funnel having a fluid flow stop configured to provide even fluid flow or to maximize fluid flow. The vented funnel with fluid flow stop may include an inner funnel member and an outer vented funnel member. The outer vented funnel member may have one or more venting portions or configurations configured to provide a mechanism for allowing trapped air within the vented funnel to be expelled.

A funnel assembly comprising a funnel, a fill tube, a valve, and tube storage structure. The funnel includes an outer wall defining a fill chamber and including alignment structure. The tube storage structure includes an upper holder positioned near the upper opening and left and right guides spaced below the upper holder. The alignment structure is configured to align with and accept a stored tube of another funnel assembly when the funnel assemblies are stacked together. The fill tube is configured to be fluidly connected to the funnel. The tube storage structure is configured to removably secure the fill tube to the funnel when the upper end of the fill tube is not fluidly connected to the funnel so that the fill tube substantially conforms to the convex, tapered outer wall.

A funnel assembly comprising a funnel, a fill tube, a valve, and tube storage structure. The funnel includes an outer wall defining a fill chamber and including alignment structure. The tube storage structure includes an upper holder positioned near the upper opening and left and right guides spaced below the upper holder. The alignment structure is configured to align with and accept a stored tube of another funnel assembly when the funnel assemblies are stacked together. The fill tube is configured to be fluidly connected to the funnel. The tube storage structure is configured to removably secure the fill tube to the funnel when the upper end of the fill tube is not fluidly connected to the funnel so that the fill tube substantially conforms to the convex, tapered outer wall.

A rotary filling machine includes a rotatable fill plate with fill openings defined therein, a plurality of circumferentially spaced drop buckets mounted above the fill plate and configured to rotate with the fill plate, and a rotating mounting plate mounted on top of the fill plate and disposed below the drop buckets. Each drop bucket includes an inner radial wall, an outer radial wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall surrounding a volume bounded by top and bottom openings. A coupler for each drop bucket includes a first connector, such as a socket, extending from an outer surface of the inner radial wall and a mating connector, such as a post, extending upwardly from the mounting ring. A plurality of ridges or protrusions are formed on a side surface of at least one of the walls to reduce the planar surface area available for adhesion to materials being dispensed.

A rotary filling machine includes a rotatable fill plate with fill openings defined therein, a plurality of circumferentially spaced drop buckets mounted above the fill plate and configured to rotate with the fill plate, and a rotating mounting plate mounted on top of the fill plate and disposed below the drop buckets. Each drop bucket includes an inner radial wall, an outer radial wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall surrounding a volume bounded by top and bottom openings. A coupler for each drop bucket includes a first connector, such as a socket, extending from an outer surface of the inner radial wall and a mating connector, such as a post, extending upwardly from the mounting ring. A plurality of ridges or protrusions are formed on a side surface of at least one of the walls to reduce the planar surface area available for adhesion to materials being dispensed.

An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck with a rim defining an opening; a cap assembly supported on the bottle, the cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being insertable within the interior of the bottle and the second portion engaging a portion of the bottle to support the funnel above the rim, the funnel defining a bore that fluidly communicates with the hollow interior of the bottle; a self-sealing membrane that covers the bore formed by the funnel to selectively seal the hollow interior of the bottle; a cap attachable to the bottle, the cap including a cover portion that extends at least partially over the self-sealing membrane to restrain movement thereof, the cover portion being axially spaced from the self-sealing membrane to define a gap that permits axial movement of the self-sealing membrane to selectively open the bottle to fluid communication outside of the bottle.

An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck with a rim defining an opening; a cap assembly supported on the bottle, the cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being insertable within the interior of the bottle and the second portion engaging a portion of the bottle to support the funnel above the rim, the funnel defining a bore that fluidly communicates with the hollow interior of the bottle; a self-sealing membrane that covers the bore formed by the funnel to selectively seal the hollow interior of the bottle; a cap attachable to the bottle, the cap including a cover portion that extends at least partially over the self-sealing membrane to restrain movement thereof, the cover portion being axially spaced from the self-sealing membrane to define a gap that permits axial movement of the self-sealing membrane to selectively open the bottle to fluid communication outside of the bottle.

A cap assembly including a self-sealing membrane that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container. The cap assembly further includes a cap having a cover portion that includes an annular wall that defines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening located radially outward of the central opening. The cover portion defines a gap above the self-sealing membrane. The gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membrane to be at least partially displaced from the opening to allow fluid communication between the interior of the container and an outside atmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.

A cap assembly including a self-sealing membrane that overlaps an opening to an interior of a container. The cap assembly further includes a cap having a cover portion that includes an annular wall that defines a central opening, and at least one evacuating opening located radially outward of the central opening. The cover portion defines a gap above the self-sealing membrane. The gap is configured to allow the self-sealing membrane to be at least partially displaced from the opening to allow fluid communication between the interior of the container and an outside atmosphere when a suction is applied to the cap.